CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 188: IF HE DARES TO ASK, I DARE TO GIVE.

Nicole looked as if she was about to cry, gazing mournfully at Ethan Harper: "Brother Harper, we’ve known each other since we were kids. I just need you to help me. Are you really willing to break ties with me over this woman... a married woman at that? Don’t you care about the relationships between our families? Is this still you?"

"If you hadn’t pulled this stunt, if you had come to me and explained things properly, perhaps I could have found a way to help you," Ethan said coldly. "But instead, you went to her and made such a scene."

Nicole bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears: "I’m out of options. I just hope you’ll help me. We can even have a fake marriage, as long as I can avoid my brother controlling me, I’ll do anything."

"I can’t help you, nor will I," Ethan bluntly replied. "You think you’re clever, but you don’t know what kind of person Florence is. Do you think she’ll be afraid of you, that she’ll leave just because you say a few words? You think she’s easy to bully?

If I hadn’t received this call, I wouldn’t know what you’ve been doing under this false pretence. Once I find out fully, your entire family will be finished."

Ethan, suppressing his anger, reached to hold Florence Fuller’s hand, his voice no longer as cold: "Will you come with me?"

Florence Fuller shook off Ethan’s hand and looked seriously at Nicole: "Are the two of you really in a fiancé relationship?"

Florence had never asked Ethan about the Harper Family’s affairs, but matters in such prestigious families were always complex and numerous.

Nicole shook her head, tears falling like rain: "I’m being forced, I have no choice. I don’t want to marry someone and be someone’s second wife. I... I..."

She looked pleadingly at Florence Fuller: "Have some pity on me, let Brother Harper help me, alright? We’ll just have a fake marriage, I... I..."

Florence let out a cold snort, stood up, and looked sharply at Nicole: "We don’t know each other, and although this is our first meeting, you give me the impression of a two-faced person."

Nicole looked at her with red eyes, embarrassed and resentful.

Florence turned to Ethan: "I don’t want to get involved in your matters. Ethan, don’t bother me."

She picked up her bag and left, Ethan quickly followed her: "Florence, this is all just a misunderstanding. I have nothing to do with her."

Florence looked at him without speaking, her eyes cold.

Ethan reached for her hand, slowly tightening his grip: "I’ll sort out this matter and come back to see you."

Florence withdrew her hand and left.

Thomas Jones and Henry Jones were waiting outside the room. Seeing Florence come out first, they quickly lowered their heads: "Miss Fuller."

Florence knew these two were people associated with Ethan, nodded, and left with large steps.

She returned to the company.

Lily Lancaster and Lily Hart were surprised to see her back at the company.

"Get in touch with that private investigator abroad," Florence handed over a card: "Have them get to the bottom of everything concerning Ethan Harper for the past three years."

Lily and Lily exchanged glances, Lily Hart followed up: "Boss, the power of Polaris Consortium is not to be underestimated. It’ll take a lot of resources, right?"

"Find the best person, let them set a price. As long as they can find something, whatever they ask for, I can afford it!"

Having said that, Florence entered her office.

Florence stayed at the company until it was dark, without turning on the lights. The night outside crept in, engulfing the office in a layer of darkness, both oppressive and somber.

A long while later, the phone rang.

It was Luke Gardiner.

"Have you already left? Or are you still in SJ City?"

"I’m at the company."

"Are you done with work there?" Luke Gardiner asked, "I’ve wrapped things up on my end and can head back to the farm. If you’re not finished, I can wait for you."

There was a silence on her end of the line, and after a while, Florence’s voice came: "Let’s go. Come over here to pick me up."

"Alright, I’ll be there soon."

Florence exited the office, noting that several lights were still on in the secretarial area.

Lily Lancaster had not left yet.

"Still not off work this late?"

"I’m sifting through resumes," Lily replied. "I definitely want to find the best person for you."

"There’s still two months to go, no need to rush," Florence said, "Get some rest early."

"Boss, when will you be back? Since it’s you who’s handling things, you need to be present for the interviews, right?"

"Soon. Just set the interviews for the start of the month, it’ll be fine. At the end of the month, we’ll attend President Quinn’s wedding, no time then." Florence said.

Lily: "President Quinn doesn’t seem like someone about to get married. She’s been back and forth between work every day. She used to go out and see male models, but now she’s not like that at all."

Upon hearing her, Florence merely smiled: "Alright, once you’ve finished, head home early for rest. I’m leaving now."

"Goodbye, boss."

Florence didn’t have to wait long downstairs before Luke Gardiner arrived in her Bentley.

Luke Gardiner was about to speak to her when Florence opened the back door and got in.

As she settled in, Florence’s hand touched a cool bag, and Luke switched on the car’s light, allowing her to see it was a water bag with two tricolor ornamental fish inside.

Florence paused: "Did you really bring them for grandpa?"

"I think he would very likely want to stay there permanently," Luke said. "Two more hours and they should hold up, right?" Florence didn’t understand much about fish keeping, but the old man truly loved these pet fish dearly, even having assigned someone at the old house to feed them.

Florence moved the bag to the passenger seat: "Turn off the lights, I’m going to take a nap."

Luke noticed the exhaustion in her tone and complied: "Okay."

The car was peacefully dim, and Florence leaned back in the seat and fell into a deep sleep.

After a period of time, she awoke vaguely and remained silent for a moment, realizing the car was not moving.

She sat up, the coat on her slipping down—it was Luke’s coat.

The car was empty except for her.

Florence glanced out the window. It was pitch black outside, the darkness feeling desolate with dense woods beside the road. Street lamps dotted every ten meters or so, leaving bright patches on the ground. She looked around and called out: "Luke."

"Hey," Luke instantly stood up from near her car door, startling Florence: "You’ve woken up."

Florence was startled, calming herself: "What’s going on?"

"I noticed something felt off while driving; it turns out the tire is flat." Luke explained.

"Ah?" Florence checked the time again, it was nearly ten o’clock.

She stepped out of the car and saw the rear left tire was flat.

"How much further to the farm?"

"About an hour away, I reckon." Luke mused, "But how did it get flat?"

"My car gets regular maintenance checks." she clarified.

"I wasn’t blaming you," Luke replied, "I’ve already contacted someone; they’re on their way, but we might have to wait a bit."